More Travel Disruption As BA Pilots Plan Three Days Of Strikes

Travellers face further disruption after British Airways pilots voted to strike on three days next month in a dispute over pay.

The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) said the action on 9, 10 and 27 September is a “last resort”, born out of “enormous frustration” with the airline’s management.

Balpa represents about 90% of the airline’s pilots which means that if the strikes go ahead they are likely to cause significant disruption.

BA said the action is “unjustifiable”, but the union said BA rejected a “number of packages” that were proposed to resolve the dispute, and that there remains a gap of around £5m between the two sides’ positions.

There was a 93% vote among Balpa’s members in favour of striking after rejecting a pay increase worth 11.5% over three years.

The union said: “Over recent years BA pilots have made sacrifice after sacrifice to assist the company such as taking a pay cut, productivity increases, closing the final salary pension scheme, giving up annual leave days, a new rostering system, and reducing flying pay.”

BA said it was adjusting its flight schedule but admitted “it is likely” that many of its customers will not be able to travel.

“We will be offering refunds and re-bookings for passengers booked on cancelled flights,” it said.

The strike plan comes just weeks after travellers with BA were hit by an IT blackout.